EquatorLiving

Jake's Resort-Treasure Beach, Jamaica-July, 2008

2008-08-12T14:01:00.002-06:00

Our last resort in Jamaica was on the south coast in the sleepy town of Treasure Beach. It turned out to be our favorite place. It is called Jake's and is run by the Henzell family, but now owned by Chris Blackwell. Perry Henzell wrote and directed the reggae classic "The Harder They Come" starring Jimmy Cliff. His wife, Sally, who was the art director on the movie, has designed all the cottages and has her imprint on everything there. We had great food and enjoyed swimming in the ocean right out the back door of our cottage and their salt water pool. It was a wonderful way to end a memorable vacation in Jamaica.

Lydia catching the last few rays of sun before heading back to the northwest.

Trenchtown Rock-Jamaica, July, 2008

2008-08-12T13:35:00.003-06:00

After the jungle, the four of us decided that we needed a little R & R before going any further in our travels, so we headed to Jamica for three weeks. The first stop was Kingston for our Bob Marley fix. We visited his home (now a museum), his recording studio, and Trenchtown where his spent much of his early recording life. We then headed to the Blue Mountains above Kingston where we stayed at the first of three of Chris Blackwell's (started Island Records and brought Bob Marley to an international audience) boutique hotels, Strawberry Hill. The infinity pool was well used. From there we headed to Port Antonio where one of the top 5 beaches in the world is located, Frenchman's Cove.

Heidi gazing at Frenchman's Cove.

We then headed to Montego Bay where we stayed at a resort called Round Hill. Carl spent one night at Reggae Sumfest leaving at midnight for the festival and arriving home at 6:45 the next morning. The highlights were Lil Wayne and watching the sun come up to John Holt.

We also got a little waterskiing in.

Ecuador's Jungle-Sani Lodge, Early July, 2008

2008-08-12T13:21:00.002-06:00

After school got out we took Brendan and Heidi deep into the jungle of Ecuador (half hour plane ride to Coca and a 3 1/2 hour motorized canoe trip to the lodge. It was a trip of a lifetime, but a lot of work. They had us up at 6:00 AM every morning either going on a hike or canoe trip. We saw many types of monkeys and many species of birds. The animal highlights included a black caiman and a harpy eagle (the largest eagle in the world with a wingspan of over 3 meters) which our guide hadn't seen in two years.

Our mode of transportation in the jungle.

We caught this pirahna on one of our canoe trips and ate it for dinner one night. Needless to say, a little bony.

Summer Solstice Party

2008-08-12T13:13:00.003-06:00

Heidi and Brendan came to visit in mid June on their way to Europe. We talked Brendan into cooking for our year-end and summer solstice party. The food was fabulous! It's going to be hard to go to any teacher potluck parties next year after this one.

Spring Break in Peru

2008-08-05T16:32:00.001-06:00

Huasquila Lodge, February, 2008

2008-07-27T10:27:00.006-06:00

This is our hut for the duration of our stay at Huasquila. Very nice accommodations!
We are on our way down the Rio Napo to visit a local village, complete with their own shaman. Carl is looking forward to it, but Jessie isn't sure.

This was a local tribe who came to dance for us. The little girl is learning the steps, so that she can continue the tradition.

The Galapagos Islands

2008-02-09T09:56:00.001-06:00

Welcome to another world!!!

Baby sea lion with sand in its eyes, a family with baby nursing, and a beautiful mug.The famous Galapagos turtlesA male frigate sitting on the nest with baby bird underneath. Their red waddle inflates when mating.Red, green marine iquanas get their color from the algae they eat.The beautiful flamingo gets its color from the shrimp larva they eat. We were very honored to visit this magical and majestic land and its unique creatures.

Machalilla Reserve - beach,island, & ruins

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Boat to Isla de la Plata - the poor man's Galapagos - 2 hr boat ride, 3 hr hike, and a snorkel. Blue footed boobies above and frigate birds with baby below.

This is considered the most beautiful beach in Ecuador - Los Frailes. Funeral urns below. Sacred sulphur pool with partial steam hut below. Go to www.alandaluz.com to see the eco-resort we stayed in.

Casa Mojanda - 9800ft

2007-11-04T18:26:00.001-06:00

Go to www.casamojanda.com to check this place out. Very environmental and dedicated to the people in the region.The lodge is beautiful. Only a decade old but built with all the traditional techniques.Waiting for lunch from the organic garden.

Ecuador's Andean Condor with its 8 ft wing span. Seen at the new Condor Park above Otavalo. Dedicated to saving the Condor from extinction.

Carl's Class Grado Tercero

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looks just like at home !

Weekend at the Beach

2007-10-23T10:53:00.001-06:00

Here are a couple of the food specialties at the beach. This is a delicious restaurant in the small beach town of Sua. Calamari ceviche and fried plantains (green bananas).

Another specialty - the amazing fruit drinks. Very creative with or without alcohol.The accommodations were rustic. Yes that is a pet chicken and no we didn't have hot water.We were on a little spit or island. Fisherman left from behind our lodge to the abundant fishing in the Pacific.

BellaVista Cloud Forest

2007-10-03T13:38:00.001-06:00

Just a few pictures from a semi-tropical rainforest only a little over an hour from Quito. This waxy flower is called Inca's earring. Less than 13 years ago the Land Reform act insisted that land owners develop 50% of their land or lose it.

Today this land is being returned to its natural state with eco-businesses popping up to share it with others.

Andy Warhol Exhibit in Old Town

2007-09-24T12:24:00.001-06:00

Remember how we talked earlier in the blog that there are not as many rules here as back home? Well here we are at the Andy Warhol exhibit in Quito's Old Town and we are allowed to take pictures and the original paintings are sitting on the ground!!!!

This was a fun exhibit and a great example of how this is a big and vital city. There are 14 million inhabitants in this little country (the size of Colorado). Chili is much larger with only 16 million inhabitants.

President Correa

2007-09-11T09:42:00.000-06:00

This is the President of Ecuador. We ran into him on our second trip to Otavalo last weekend.

We stopped in Cayambe on the way to Otavalo. This town is famous for a buttery biscuit called bizcochos. You can get them all over Ecuador but not like the ones in Cayambe.

Some bizcochos are waiting to go into the oven (horno).

We stopped to view the countryside. This could be a postcard.

Old Town and Josh/ Quito's volcanoes

2007-09-10T08:39:00.000-06:00

This is Old Town. in Quito. The church we are sitting by was built in 1534 when the Spanish arrived. This area was originally occupied by a pre-Incan tribe called the Quitu tribe. Around the 1300s they united with the Cara from the north and became the Shyris nation. In 1487 the Incans took over and called it Quitosuyo. Within a hundred years infighting took place and the empire easily fell to the Spanish, but before it was taken the Incans raised and burned their city leaving nothing for the new comers.

Josh is another teacher's partner. He is a computer expert and has helped me with the blog. Thank you Josh!!!!

This is a picture of Volcan Cayambe. The volcano above and below are not usually snow filled at this time of year but there has been rain this summer. This area is right on the equator. Did you know there is a bulge at the center of the earth making these volanoes even taller than stated? A good book on the mapping of the equator, history, plus a story is The Map Maker's Wife.

This is the volano to the south of Quito. Cotopaxi and Cayambe are both active. Yikes!

Otavalo's Artisan Market

2007-09-06T11:22:00.000-06:00

Otavalo is a market town about 2 hrs north of Quito. It is famous world wide for its weavings, leather, jewelry etc. The hangings behind the little boy and girl were influenced by an Escher book that a Peace Corps Volunteer left behind years ago. Otavalo was a market town before the Incans arrived. When the Spanish came in the 1500's they gave them machines to have them produce larger quantities. In the mid 1900's they were allowed to once again work in their homes. This is a great example of smart, industrious, indigenous people living an abundant life in these modern times. They wear their native dress and practice the art or trade that has been in their families for many generations.

We bought the softest most beautiful alpaca blanket for $10. I got a great black and white alpaca bag for the same, which I can carry quite a few yoga mats. Carl got the huge wall hanging for the guest bedroom. It takes up most of the wall. It is also alpaca and went from $40 to $27.50 with Carl's haggling. Bartering is hard for me because I think these things are worth more. However, they have no middle man and have prospered from the way they have it set up.
This gentleman is in traditional dress. They have long braids that they are allowed to keep in the military.

We slipped into the local part of the market at lunch time.
If you can get here before 8 am there is a live animal market at the end of town.
The children are taught how to weave beginning around 3 years old. A lot of the young merchants spoke English. Most of the children are sent abroad to travel as a part of their coming of age.
This market is soooo beautiful. Incredible products that you cannot get elsewhere. It was heaven to just mingle in it.

Our building, Us, and Wall Hanging

2007-09-04T19:29:00.000-06:00

This is our building. Edificio Boticelli
We are located in Batan Bajo or some call it the flats. We are in between 2 active volcanoes. We are in the valley near New Town and not far from the airport.

Sunday breakfast - just in case you forget what we look like.

This is a wall hanging we bought in Otavalo, an indigenous town 2 hrs from Quito. The Saturday market is incredible. A few of
those pictures will be on the next blog.

Our Building, Us and Our Purchase

2007-09-04T19:21:00.000-06:00

Living in Quito

2007-09-04T07:55:00.000-06:00

El Panecillo

The virgin of Quito looks over the city. She is standing on snakes or all the sins of man.

View from El Panecillo

Soccer in Quito

I love the lack of structure or rules. The guys in front of the fireworks didn't when the shooters started pointing them down. The game stopped 2 minutes early because of a big fight between the players. There were as many helmetted military on the field as players. Quito won!

Inside our apartment

2007-08-31T12:26:00.000-06:00

Lydia in the kitchen. No dishwasher but we do have a washing machine and dryer which is unusual.

Our bedroom: we have to really like each other because we have a double bed. People here are
not as tall as Carl.

Our living room. This was all furnished beautifully. Would you believe we are in a third world
country?

Apartment in Quito

2007-08-31T12:01:00.000-06:00

view from our apartment